We have planning permission for a 2-story extension but can only afford to do the ground floor at the moment. Can we build the ground floor and then put a flat roof on it until we have money to do the upper floor? Does anyone have experience of this?
Can we build the ground floor and then put a flat roof on it until we have money to do the upper floor? Does anyone have experience of this? Waste money on a temporary roof? Why not complete the brickwork and roof and wait until you have more money to do the inside work?
I dont know for sure but there will probably be a time limit on what you applied to do and doing just the gound floor (I think) would mean you have failed to build what you applied to do and if you therefore go over the time limit you may have to go through the planning process again. One problem could be that each council has its own take on this it maybe best to speak to them about it.
Very odd. Planning permission usually stipulates starting within 4 years, but does not stipulate a finish date - hence occassional stories of neighbours fed up of ongoing work lasting a decade or more.
When I built my house several years back they give me a must finish by date. I cant remember how long it was though but it wasnt excessive, and they did check the final build to make sure it complied with regs and the plans.
However building regs may change and that may well require you to change what you build and hence need new planning consent. AIUI building regs apply at the time you build not when you plan, and that the inspector can require you to build to the new regs if he wants.
I've seen variations in the local planning list here saying what was going to be done instead. I gather you have to pay them each time youvary it though. good little earner.
Makes sense to me... a surprisingly large proportion of the expense of a new build comes *after* the shell of the building is in place - plastering, wiring, plumbing, decorating etc.
Once building work has commenced on an application, the 'requirements' [1] of the regulations that were in force at the time will apply [2].
Planning consent [3] has nothing to do with the Building Regulations [4].
If you submit a Full Plans application, and it is approved, then provided work is commenced on this application within three years, the requirements in force at the time the original application was submitted apply to the work [5]. The same applies to a building notice. However, there have been occasions when changes to the requirements have been applied to work that has not been commenced and was either submitted on a building notice or plans had not been fully approved.
A building control surveyor or officer [6] can't require you to build to the new regs 'if he wants'[7]. There has to be a legal basis (i.e., Statutury Instruments) to any change in guidance, and any BCO would know this.
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